Starting at
Starting at
137 - 252 HP | Horsepower | 187 - 250 HP |
28 City / 39 Highway | Fuel Economy | 28 City / 31 Highway |
3,500 LBS | Max Towing Capacity | 2,000 LBS |
Both the GMC Terrain and the Mazda CX-5 are leaders in the competitive midsize SUV segment. For the past several years now, consumers have been shifting away from sedans to SUVs and trucks. For manufacturers, SUVs and trucks are amongst the most profitable segments. As a result, they are vital to both consumers and manufacturers, and create a highly competitive category. Both GM and Mazda are at the top of the midsize SUV segment with several options between the two. So, just how does the 2019 GMC Terrain vs 2019 Mazda CX-5 stack up?
The most competitive and crowded segment of the SUV market is perhaps the midsize variation with just about every automobile manufacturer represented. Two competitors that are both popular and highly-rated that are worthy of a closer look are the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5. Both the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 are in their second generation. The second-generation of the GMC Terrain went into production in the 2018 model year and is closely related to the Buick Envision and the Chevrolet Equinox. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 went into production in 2017 as a stand-alone model.
The GMC Terrain is available with three engine options, all utilizing turbo technology to optimize efficiency. There is a 1.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine, the standard engine, a 2.0L four-cylinder gasoline engine, and a 1.6L four-cylinder diesel option. The Terrain also comes in four trims, SL, SLE, SLT, Denali, along with a special Black Edition.
The 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Combined with a 9-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive, the vehicle delivers an EPA fuel economy estimate of 26 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel-drive, EPA fuel economy drops to 24 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. This engine comes standard in the SL, SLE, and SLT trim packages, with AWD being an upgradeable option on the SLE and SLT.
Standard on the range-topping Denali trim package and optional for the SLE and SLT trim levels is the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. This option produces 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Using the same 9-speed transmission as the 1.5-liter engine and in front-wheel-drive configuration, the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieves 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel-drive, fuel efficiency drops to 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
These engine options come standard with the towing capacity of 1,500 lbs, but can be upgraded to 3,500 lbs.
Available as an option in the SLE and SLT trim levels, the final engine option in is the 1.6L turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. This diesel option produces 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Terrain turns in a respectable 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg, highway. With all-wheel-drive, fuel efficiency only drops slightly to 28 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
In contrast to the GMC Terrain, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 comes with two engine options and five trim packages, the Sport, Touring, Grand Turing, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature. Powering the CX-5 with Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim packages is the Advanced Direct Injection 2.5L SKYACTIV four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with a six-speed SKYACTIV automatic transmission, the Mazda CX-5 reports 25 mpg city / 31 mpg highway, in a front-wheel-drive configuration. With all-wheel-drive, fuel efficiency is 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trim packages have the 2.5T Dynamic Pressure Turbo four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 227-250 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Available in only all-wheel-drive, the turbo engine gets 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Although the Mazda offers an engine option with a bit more torque in the upper trims and a higher base level horsepower, the lack of a diesel and performance overall put the Terrain ahead.
Looking like a smaller, more compact version of its bigger sister, the popular GMC Arcadia, the Terrain comfortably seats five and has a wheelbase of 107.3 inches. Dimensions of the Terrain are 182.3 inches in length, a width of 72.4 inches, and 65.4 inches in height. Storage in the Terrain is also respectable with 63.3 cubic feet of space from behind the front seat back and 29.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row. The 2019 GMC Terrain weighs in at 3,327 pounds in a 1.5-liter, turbo, front-wheel-drive configuration.
Like the GMC Terrain, the CX-5 comfortably seats five, and it has a slightly shorter wheelbase at 106.2 inches. Dimensions are a length of 179.1 inches, a width of 72.5 inches, and a height of 66.1 inches. Weight of the CX-5 is similar to the Terrain coming in at 3,318 to 3,657 pounds, depending upon whether the vehicle is front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.
In terms of cargo space, the CX-5 has 59.6 cubic feet of storage space from behind the front seats back and 30.9 cubic feet in the area behind the back seat. Although the two vehicles come in very similarly in measurements, if you need that extra bit of space for your cargo, the Terrain is a better choice.
In recent years, people have been transitioning out of passenger cars and into SUVs for the convenience and utility that they provide. As a result, towing capacity is essential in the midsize SUV segment. The 2019 GMC Terrain has a towing capacity that is limited to 1,500 lbs, but can be upgraded to 3,500 pounds with a trailering package.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has a max towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. This is 500 lbs more carrying capacity than the basic GMC Terrain's capability. However, this is 1,000 pounds less than the towing capacity of the GMC Terrain with the upgraded trailering.
Because of the popularity of the midsize SUVs, manufacturers work very hard to make their offerings attractive to consumers. One of the best ways to do that is with technology. As a result, both the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 are offered with a heavy dose of technology. USB charging ports are generously placed throughout both vehicles enabling every passenger in either the GMC Terrain or Mazda CX-5 to charge their favorite electronic device and then some.
The centerpiece of every vehicle in the midsize SUV segment is, of course, the infotainment center in the middle of every dashboard. They seem to increase in importance with consumers and manufacturers alike, as evidenced by their increasing size with every passing model year. Both the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 come with a 7-inch infotainment center as standard equipment. The Terrain comes standard with six speakers, while the CX-5 only features four on the base trim. For those who need more, an 8-inch infotainment center is optionally available. As would be expected, both vehicles are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android.
While it is the infotainment center that many consumers focus on most, safety was definitely a priority for both automakers, and the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 deliver in that regard. Such safety-related features include automated emergency braking, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control available on both vehicles. When it comes to crash safety, both the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 have a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Terrain sets itself apart by offering Teen Driver, even on the SL model. This feature allows parents to turn on certain settings and limit others, along with providing a report card on driving habits to help coach your learning driver.